EEPOET OF THE SECRETARY. 29 



111 the interest of general education, particularly in natural his- 

 tory, it has been the custom for many years to distribute to schools 

 and colleges throughout the country such duplicate material as 

 can be spared from the Museum collections. During the past year 

 14,564 specimens were thus distributed, besides several hundred 

 pounds of rocks, minerals, and ores. 



The total attendance of visitors to the new or natural history 

 building during the year was 267,728 for week days and 61,653 on 

 Sundays, while the older building was visited by 146,533 persons. 



The publications of the year numbered 14 volumes and 58 sep- 

 arate papers. The library has now increased to a total of 43,609 

 volumes and 73,765 pamphlets and other unbound papers. 



The auditorium and other available rooms in the new building 

 have proved of great convenience for meetings of scientific bodies 

 and were largely utilized during the year. Accommodations were 

 also afforded for several conventions of agriculturists, accompanied 

 by exhibits of wool, fruits, and other products. 



BUEEAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY. 



The work of the Bureau of American Ethnology during the year 

 has brought together much new material relating to the habits and 

 customs and the languages of the American Indians. The results 

 of the studies of the several investigators are being published as 

 promptly as practicable. The systematic researches by the eth- 

 nologists forming the scientific staff of the bureau are described 

 in detail in the second appendix of this report. I may mention as of 

 special interest a reconnoissance by Mr. F. W. Hodge, Ethnologist- 

 in-charge, of a group of prehistoric ruins on a mesa in CeboUita 

 Valley, N. Mex. These ruins consist of a number of house groups 

 forming a compound built on an almost impregnable height, and 

 designed for defense ; not only the groups but the individual houses 

 have the form of fortifications, while the vulnerable point of the 

 mesa rim is protected by means of a rude breastwork of stones. The 

 outer wall, which protects the whole mesa, is built of exceptionally 

 fine masonry, probably the finest work to be found in ancient pueblo 

 ruins of the Southwest. The building stones have been dressed to 

 shape, matched for size, and their faces finished by pecking, with 

 such labor as to confirm the belief that this ancient village was 

 designed for permanent occupancy. Among the special features of 

 interest which Mr. Hodge discovered were a burial cist in which 

 skeletons, pottery, and the remains of a mat were found ; three small 

 cliff lodges situated in the sides of the cliffs; several ceremonial 

 rooms or kivas associated with the ruined houses; and the remains 

 of the early reservoirs of the inhabitants. 

 69602°— SM 1914 -3 



